A tough loss Saturday for the Madisonville-North Hopkins Maroons. Playing for the second straight game without senior leader Kanyon Johnson, the Maroons lost a heartbreaker to Grayson County, falling 67-66 in the consolation bracket of the Thomas Nelson High School holiday tournament.
The Cougars held the Maroons to just three field goals in the first quarter as they took a 19-12 lead. Madisonville hung close thanks to a 6 for 6 performance at the free throw line in the first eight minutes.
Landen Smith and Ryan Bryant got things cranked up and going in the second quarter as the Maroons came fighting back to take a 36-31 lead into the break.
Spencer Langdon heated up in the third for Grayson County and brought the Cougars to even at 51-51 as the quarter ended.
Both teams struggled to get points in the fourth quarter and regulation ended with a 59-59 tie.
The Maroons and the Cougars both made a three and a pair of 2-point baskets in the overtime. The difference would turn out to be a trip to the line where Grayson County made 1 of 2 and took the win.
Landen Smith led Madisonville-North Hopkins with 24 points. Ryan Bryant hit for 20 points. Vonte Wilkes also reached double figures with 11.
Grayson County’s Spencer Langdon was the game’s leading scorer with 35 points. Kadin Hanshaw added 11 points.
Madisonville-North Hopkins falls to 7-4 with the loss, which is the Maroons’ 4th straight. They will play Sunday in the 7th place game of the tournament.
